Filed under: Personal computer, Online

In an interview with GameDaily, GameTap’s VP of Content, Rick Sanchez, explains that rumors of the gaming-buffet’s death are “greatly exaggerated.” Although he avoids divulging whether GameTap is profitable, he does say that it is hitting parent company Turner Broadcasting’s P&L (profits and losses) figures, so apparently it’s still keeping daddy happy.

Although rumors of GameTap’s demise have pretty much been present since the service launched — something even Sanchez jokes about — things went into overdrive after the company laid off its all-star editorial team. GameDaily reports it heard rumors in the wake of the firings that the service would remain online only as a shell until December and then be buried. Sanchez “categorically denies” any of that, pointing to Grimm and more announcements expected in the future as proof of the service’s growth.

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Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, First Person Shooters, On the internet

Like the rumbling of thunder in the distance, an unstoppable force is audibly and rapidly approaching us. Soon, a cacophony of clicks will ring through our ears, the reverberating result of posting an article which not only concerns Halo 3, but prominently features the word “free.” What have we done?

Bungie’s Luke Smith has announced via Bungie.net that “Cold Storage,” a chilly new multiplayer map for everybody’s favorite cyborg shoot-em-up, will be downloadable — for free — from the Xbox Live Marketplace beginning Monday Bungie Day, July 7. The map will be implemented in regular rotation in playlists that require the Legendary Map Pack, which will also drop from 800 MS Points ($10) to 600 MS Points ($7.50) on the same day. If you haven’t tried those environments out yet, now’s the time to join in on the gradual extermination of Earth’s population.
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Filed under: Mac, Computer, On the internet

As we slowly prepare for the long weekend here in the Says, hunkering down for some game playing with a grill right next to us, it’s probably worth mentioning that GameTap’s selection of free games (which we’ve listed after the break) won’t cost you a dime or, more importantly, gas money getting to the mall. All that cash can be spent on some extra meat for the barbecue. But first, let’s look at the new subscription games this week.

• Descent: Freespace (Windows) - If you liked Wing Commander: Prophecy and miss that whole space pilot genre, definitely check out Freespace.
• Off-road Redneck Racing (Windows) - Oh boy, do we have to write something here? Umm, Rednecks go racing … it’s slightly less offensive than Redneck Rampage.

GameTap’s free games list doesn’t get any new additions this week, but if you haven’t played Tomb Raider: Legend or Deus Ex, what are you waiting for?

Continue reading GameTap Thursday: Descent Freespace and Off-road Redneck Racing

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Filed under: Mac, Computer, Portable, Retro, Microsoft Xbox 360, Online, Casual

Alan R. Moon’s Ticket to Ride has only been out for four years, but it has picked up several prestigious board gaming awards, and is quickly becoming a popular “haul it out of the closet and get yer game on” addition to game night. Last week, the Xbox Live Arcade version was released, joining Catan, Carcassonne, and Lost Cities as games that have breached the digital divide. But how does it stack up against the freebie Java version, and the board game itself? Read on, ticket holders, and find out.
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Continue reading Ticket to Ride vs. Ticket to Ride vs. Ticket to Ride

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Filed under: Mac, Computer, Online, Strategy, Competitive Gaming

Earlier this week, Blizzard released a patch for Warcraft 3, known to some of you as “the game before World of Warcraft” and the rest as “the client for playing Defense of the Ancients.” Patch 1.22a provides balance changes for the units, fixes some technical issues and includes four new maps. You can update the game by either logging onto Battle.net or by downloading the patches manually (available from BigDownload).

PC (1.22a requires patch 1.21b for installation)

• 1.21b for W3
• 1.21b for W3: The Frozen Throne
• 1.22a for W3
• 1.22a for W3:TFT

Mac (1.21b not required)

• 1.22a for W3
• 1.22a for W3:TFT

Last month, Blizzard also patched Diablo 2. We’ve placed full patch notes after the break.

[Via BigDownload]

Continue reading Warcraft 3 patched to 1.22a

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Filed under: PC, First Person Shooters, On the internet

First the Medic, then Pyro, and now Mr. Heavy. Valve has announced that the Heavy class is next in line for Team Fortress 2 class updates (i.e. new weapons and achievements). Additionally, Valve stated they’ll “open up the process a little” in talking about how the update is designed. The goal of the update is to “make the Heavy more viable when he has no Medic to pair with” but in a manner that does not significantly change the Heavy’s role in the game. We’re interested to see how those ideas and constratins translate to new firepower.

[Thanks, Andrew R!]

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Filed under: Culture, On the internet, Polls

For the Rush reference and a Seussical interpretation of Guitar Hero V’s drum set, we handily hand Hijinks Ensue this week’s webcomic wrapup award.

Second and third place go to Penny Arcade and 2P Begin, respectively. Thanks to everyone who voted, and be sure to let us know of any game-related webcomics you stumble upon this week!

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Filed under: Online, Meta (about Joystiq), MMO

Where can the world’s biggest World of Warcraft fans go to speak with Blizzard devs, hear news about upcoming games, and dress up like Murlocs? Paris’ Worldwide Invitational 2008, of course — that’s where WoW Insider was last weekend, and we’ve got a ton of news about everything WoW from the event, including Death Knight exclusives, new talents for Wrath of the Lich King, and coverage of all the panels and ceremonies. If you’ve ever played World of Warcraft, now’s the time to go check WoW Insider — odds are there’s something new that’ll remind you why you liked the game in the first place.

News

• Worldwide Invitational Paris: The roundup
  Everything we posted from and about Blizzard’s Worldwide Invitational event in Paris this last weekend. If you weren’t there, read this, and you’ll feel like you were (and it’s a lot cheaper than a plane ticket).
• Hands on with WWI ‘08 Death Knight demo
  We actually play, for the first time, the first new class implemented in the game since launch.
• WWI ‘08 Costume Contest gallery
  Let’s face it, the real reason you go to these nerdy events is to see the wacky cosplayers. Here they’re.
• Blizzard unveils Diablo 3
  What were you doing last Saturday morning at 4:30am? Sleeping? We were compiling information on Blizzard’s newest game.
• Blizzard’s splash screen changes for June 27th
  Of course now, we know it was all for Diablo 3, but last week, we were still guessing our hearts out as to what the splash screen ice meant.

Features

• Arena Season 4: Brutal Gladiator
  Season 4 started last week, and we’ve got the most definitive guide on the World wide web for what to spend your Honor on.
• Midsummer Fire Festival quest guides
  All the news coming out of Paris might have distracted you, but we didn’t forget: the Midsummer Fire Festival is live on the realms.
• The Care and Feeding of Warriors: Titan’s Grip!
  Yes, Warriors can do in Wrath what we never though possible: wield a two-hander in one hand.
• Blizzard Authenticator introduced at the Worldwide Invitational
  Blizzard is selling a physical key, to make sure the only person who signs into your account is you.
• Two talent trees for the price of one?
  We dip into one of the most underrated pieces of news coming out of WWI: could Blizzard be making it easier for players to respec?

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Filed under: Mac, Personal computer, On the internet, RPGs, MMO

The MMO-obsessed at WoW Insider managed to get some hands-on time with Wrath of the Lich King’s Death Knight class while at this weekend’s Blizzard Worldwide Invitational. Take a look for impressions and information on the gameplay, skills and talents of this soon-to-be overused class.

• General gameplay impressions
• Blood spells and talents
• Unholy spells and talents
• Frost spells and talents

Don’t forget to check out all of Worldwide Invitational coverage, from World of Warcraft to Starcraft 2 and Diablo 3.

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Filed under: Computer, On the web

Hagimona pana! Guranda epska tali tari ta. Eska, eska, esti toni wa?

*turns on Simlish to English translator*

Better? Good! EA announced that its Sims 2 Store is now live for US and Canadian shoppers. The online retail location practices the fine art of micro transactions by offering items available in Sims 2 expansion packs and “all-new exclusive” content.

The store works by converting real money into “SimPoints” at an exchange rate of $1 for 100 SimPoints, and most items we saw appear to be between 75 - 100 SimPoints. Sims 2 fans can decide for themselves if it’s worth micro-transactioning through the Sims 2 Store or picking up the full expansions at retail. The store seems like the type of thing that’s perfect if your Sim just needs to have that new shower head and nothing else.

[Via BigDownload]

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